Normalcy has returned to the people of the Teesta river basin areas of four northern districts including Gaibandha. Like the previous time, they started living normal life.
Official sources on Monday said, a hydroelectric dam collapsed in Sikkim, a state of India on Wednesday due to a flood caused by heavy rainfall. As a result, the floodwater came to Bangladesh through the Teesta River in India. At one stage, the floodwater entered into Bangladesh territory through Gazoldoba Bridge at Jalpaiguri of West Bengal.
To control the situation, the authorities opened all the radial gates of the Teesta Barrage located at Duani of Hatibandha Upazila under Lalmonirhat district resulting in the possibility of short-term severe floods expected in Teesta River and both sides including chars.
Fearing flood and its severity, the local administrations conducted a publicity campaign through loudspeakers among the people of the river basin to take early preparedness and precautions to reduce losses of life and properties.
The people were asked to go to the flood shelters taking domestic animals, poultry birds and other important belongings.
At that time, a panicky situation was prevailing among the people of the river basin and they passed their days with anxiety.
A number of people took shelter in nearby embankments and high lands responding to the request of the administration.
Md Manzu Miah, chairman of Kapasia union parishad under Sundarganj upazila said they preserve the latest report of the water in the river of Teesta when the flood comes.
In this way, we became more worried about the flood for two days, Later, we came to know that the water of Teesta started receding at the Teesta barrage, he added.
After hearing it, peace and tranquillity returned to the people of the flood-prone areas, he further added.
Md Hafizul Haque, executive engineer of Bangladesh Water Development Board said the Teesta River was renamed as the Brahmaputra River at Horipur point of the district blowing through Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Rangpur and Gaibandha districts.
As the water in the river of Brahmaputra was very low, the water of the Teesta River receded quickly which is why no flood occurred in the river of Teesta and its basin, he added.
